Joe Conason (NY Observer): Scaife’s Hired Hack Deserved Teresa’s Ire

[Dudley_DUright]

For an intelligent, outspoken woman in politics who finds herself buffeted by the whims and moods of the national press corps, there is always a choice of descriptive phrases. When she chooses her words with caution, she may be "perfectly poised" but risks being dismissed as "overly scripted." If she speaks her mind, she could be praised as "refreshingly candid," but will more likely be denounced as "out of control."

This is a rigged journalistic game, played most ferociously by reporters and pundits who are adhering studiously to their own predetermined narratives.

In the case of Teresa Heinz Kerry, many in the media determined that she was trouble long before they even had a glimpse of her. Smart and dedicated, wealthy and opinionated, globally conscious and foreign-born, Ms. Heinz Kerry isn’t the typical political spouse our parochial press is accustomed to covering. So they were waiting for her to say something like what she said on July 25, after a reception for Democratic delegates from her home state of Pennsylvania.

That was when she told an editorial writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to "shove it."


more...

http://www.observer.com/pages/conason.asp

[donco6]

1. Enlightening, thanks.

I was wondering what the background for that was. Makes perfect sense to me. Sounds like she's been more than gracious for some time.

[ashling]

2. Great article

thanks for posting :)

[LeinesRed]

3. Excellent!

great points about what happens when a woman vs a man uses "blunt" language.....

[molly]

4. Great article - Scaiffe won't give up tho....

[Manix]

5. Joe rocks!!